The 2025 National Duals Invitational begins with a statement level matchup as the No. 1 seeded Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Missouri Tigers at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Set for 9:00 a.m. CT, the dual serves as both a tone setter and an early measuring stick for two programs with vastly different expectations, but equally massive aspirations.
Iowa enters with national title intent and one of the deepest lineups in the sport. The Hawkeyes boast eight wrestlers ranked in the top ten of their weight classes and hold the statistical edge in eight of ten projected bouts. Led by a lineup rich with All Americans, national finalists, and high end recruits, Iowa’s championship identity is built on pressure, scoring volume, and relentlessness.
Missouri steps into the dual as the underdog, but with intrigue. The Tigers enter with a mixture of blue chip freshmen and experienced veterans capable of igniting momentum if matches break early in their favor. Frosh standouts Mack Mauger, Seth Mendoza, and Aeoden Sinclair bring significant upside to the lineup, while ranked veterans Cam Steed, Maxx Mayfield, and Jarrett Stoner provide the Tigers with clear upset paths against elite opposition.
Several ranked meetings highlight the dual and could decide the scoreboard if Missouri can steal points where Iowa expects control. At 165 pounds, No. 2 Michael Caliendo meets No. 12 Maxx Mayfield in a potential scoring battle. At 174 pounds, No. 2 Patrick Kennedy faces No. 5 Cam Steed in one of the dual’s most competitive matchups on paper. At 184 pounds, No. 2 Angelo Ferrari takes on No. 9 Aeoden Sinclair, a headliner bout loaded with offense, pace, and dual swinging potential.
With more than $1 million in prize money on the line at this year’s National Duals Invitational, advancement comes with both financial and program defining significance. Iowa looks to assert its tournament dominance early, while Missouri hopes to deliver a message that it belongs in conversations with the nation’s elite.
